ugh the whole at-will thing is so confusing! like they can fire you for literally anything but then sometimes you can still get unemployment?? makes no sense to me but glad it worked out for you OP

Just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to emphasize that your termination was due to "lack of work" or "position elimination" rather than performance issues. NYS Department of Labor has specific categories for separation reasons, and choosing the right one can help streamline your approval process. Also, don't forget that you'll need to certify for benefits every week once your claim is processed - you can do this online or by phone. Good luck with your claim!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Filed my claim about 5 days ago after being laid off from a retail company that closed our location, and predictably they've been completely unreachable since the store closure. It's actually such a relief to find this thread and see how many people have successfully navigated this same scenario. The 3-4 week timeline everyone keeps mentioning is really helpful for setting realistic expectations instead of obsessively checking my claim status every day. I immediately started filing weekly claims after reading all the advice here - thank goodness I found this before making the mistake of waiting for approval first! I have my termination letter that clearly states the reason as "store closure due to corporate restructuring" so hopefully that documentation will be sufficient. It's honestly mind-boggling how these companies can just disappear and ignore their legal obligations, but it sounds like NYS DOL has this scenario down to a science at this point. Thanks so much for starting this discussion - it's been invaluable for my peace of mind!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my unemployment claim about 2 weeks ago after getting laid off from a consulting firm that basically went dark after they eliminated half their staff. Just like everyone else here, my former employer has been completely unresponsive to all attempts at communication since the layoffs happened. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - the consistent 3-4 week timeline everyone keeps mentioning gives me realistic expectations instead of constantly refreshing my claim status. I've been diligently filing my weekly claims based on all the advice in this thread (almost made the mistake of waiting for approval first!). I have all my termination documentation saved including the official notice that clearly states "position elimination due to organizational restructuring." It's honestly frustrating how these companies can just abandon their legal obligations, but it sounds like NYS DOL has robust processes for dealing with non-responsive employers. This thread has been a lifesaver for understanding what to expect and managing the stress of this whole process. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know so many others have successfully navigated this same scenario!

I went through this exact situation last year! As a travel nurse, you're definitely eligible for unemployment benefits between contracts as long as you're getting W-2s from your agency. When I filed, I had to be really clear about my employment structure - the staffing agency is your actual employer, not the hospitals. One tip: when you're doing your weekly certifications, make sure to document all your job search activities including checking with your agency for new assignments, applying through other travel nursing companies, and looking at job boards like TravelNurseSource. The DOL wants to see that you're actively seeking work in your field. Also, don't be discouraged if it takes a few weeks to get approved - they sometimes need extra time to verify employment with staffing agencies since it's not as straightforward as traditional employment.

I'm also a travel nurse and just want to add - make sure you understand the "able and available" requirement. NYS DOL will want to confirm you're genuinely available for work assignments, not just waiting for the "perfect" contract. I've found it helpful to register with multiple staffing agencies and apply for positions even if they're not ideal (you can always decline if offered). Also, if you have any specialty certifications or are willing to take assignments in related units (like ICU to step-down), mention that in your job search documentation. It shows flexibility and genuine effort to find work. The key is proving you're not just sitting around waiting - you're actively pursuing all reasonable opportunities in your field.

I'm in the same boat waiting for my 1099-G! Called the tax document hotline this morning and they said they're still processing them in batches. The rep told me that if you received unemployment benefits late in the year (like November/December), your 1099-G might not be available until mid-February. She also mentioned that they mail physical copies about 2 weeks after they're posted online, so definitely check your my.ny.gov account first. Hope this helps!

Just wanted to add that if you're still missing your 1099-G after mid-February, you can request a duplicate through the "Request Tax Documents" section on my.ny.gov. I had to do this last year when mine got lost in the mail and it was pretty straightforward - took about 5-7 business days to get a replacement mailed out. Also, make sure your mailing address is updated in your profile because they won't forward tax documents if you've moved since filing your claim.

I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation! My claim has been pending for almost 4 weeks now and I've tried calling that 888-209-8124 number literally hundreds of times with zero success. It's either immediate busy signals, hours on hold followed by disconnection, or that infuriating "call volume too high" message. This thread has been an absolute goldmine though - so much more helpful than anything on the official DOL website! I'm definitely going to try the Spanish line transfer trick tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM based on all the success stories here. The idea of calling at 7:59:50 to hit the system right at 8:00 is brilliant. I'm also seriously considering the Claimyr service since so many people have had success with it. At this point the stress of failed calling attempts is affecting my job search and mental health, so paying for something that actually works might be worth it for peace of mind. Has anyone tried the assembly representative route recently? I found my local rep's unemployment assistance form online and I'm thinking of filling it out as another backup option while trying the phone strategies. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become phone system experts just to access our own benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share real solutions. The fact that most of these issues turn out to be simple 5-minute fixes once you reach an agent makes the broken phone system even more infuriating!

I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach NY unemployment for over 2 weeks about my pending claim and that 888-209-8124 number is absolutely useless. I've probably called 300+ times and either get immediate busy signals, sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected, or hear that dreaded "call volume too high" message. This thread is incredible though - so much more helpful than anything on the official DOL site! I'm definitely going to try the Spanish line transfer trick tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM based on all the success stories here. The strategy of calling at 7:59:50 to hit the system right when it opens is genius. I'm also considering that Claimyr service since multiple people have had success with it. At this point the constant failed calling attempts are seriously affecting my mental health and job search efforts, so paying for something that actually works might be worth it. One question for those who've gotten through - did you notice any difference in success rates between different days of the week? I've been trying mostly Mondays and Tuesdays but maybe mid-week would be better based on what some people mentioned about avoiding the Monday rush. It's absolutely insane that we need a whole community strategy guide just to access our own benefits, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works instead of the useless official advice. The fact that most of these turn out to be simple 5-minute fixes once you reach an agent makes this broken system even more infuriating!